Basic Inventory Management for a Tint Shop

Carrying too little film means turning away jobs or delaying customers waiting on a reorder. Carrying too much ties up cash in rolls that sit on a shelf. Getting this balance right matters more as your shop grows.

Track What You Actually Use

Keep a simple record of which films and shades you go through fastest. Most shops find that a small number of shade/film combinations account for the large majority of jobs — stock those deepest, and keep lighter stock of less common combinations.

Factor In Lead Time

Know how long it realistically takes to get a reorder in hand, and reorder before you're down to your last roll, not after. Running out mid-job or having to delay a customer because you're waiting on shipping is one of the more avoidable frustrations in this business.

Don't Overbuy Slow-Moving Shades

It's tempting to stock every shade a film is available in, but rarely-requested shades tie up cash without much benefit. For uncommon requests, it's often better to special-order than to carry inventory that sits unused.

Store Film Properly

Store rolls in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight, and follow manufacturer storage guidance to avoid degrading film that hasn't been installed yet.

Review Periodically

Revisit your inventory levels every few months, especially around seasonal shifts in demand (see our guide on seasonal marketing timing) — what you need stocked heading into a busy spring looks different than what you need in a slow winter month.